Jana's Corner & One and Done Recipes

How many turkey sandwiches can one person eat? Before I made this soup, my husband had eaten a few too many “Thanksgiving” sandwiches. This soup is a delicious way to use up leftover turkey, green bean casserole, and any other miscellaneous items in your freezer, produce drawer, or pantry.

Ingredients

• 6-8 cups chicken broth (depending on your preferred thickness)
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• Leftover turkey or chicken, cubed
• Leftover green bean casserole (cut green beans smaller if needed)
• Veggies from freezer or fridge (corn, green beans, spinach, etc.)
• 1/2 cup pasta or noodles (such as orzo)
• 1/2 cup pesto (check out my homemade recipe)
• Olive oil
• Salt, to taste (salt in layers)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics
   • In a large soup pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add the sliced celery, carrots, and chopped onion. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Add the chopped garlic, 2 teaspoons of salt, and a couple of grinds of black pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the Broth and Raw Vegetables
   • Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
   • Add any raw vegetables you have on hand and cook until they are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
3. Cook the Pasta
   • If using pasta (I use orzo), add it to the pot.
4. Incorporate Leftovers
   • Add the cubed leftover turkey or chicken, green bean casserole, and any additional cooked vegetables or greens (such as spinach).
   • Stir in the pesto and let the soup simmer for another 10 minutes to marry all the flavors.
5. Season and Serve
   • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
   • Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips

• Customize Your Soup
  • Feel free to add any vegetables or leftovers you have on hand. This soup is very versatile and a great way to clean out your fridge.
• Homemade Pesto
  • For the best flavor, use homemade pesto. You can use my recipe!
• Thicker Soup
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, use less broth and add more vegetables and pasta.